Holidaying with Your Dog

With Spring now showing signs of coming, flowers trying to bloom and the weather marginally warmer, its time to start planning those 2018 holidays and getaways.

Why not scrap the two week all inclusive in the glorious sun and swap it for a lovely break or two in good old Royal Britannia? There are now SO many places offering dog and pet friendly accommodation all across the UK you will be spoiled for choice.Cottages to Caravans to Canal Boats there really is a wide variety of places to visit along the length and breadth of the country.

However before you travel it’s important to make a list of items that are super important to take to make your life easier and less stressful.

1) Food and water bowls! It’s really important to make sure your hound has food and water bowls – some places may provide these but you don’t want to be caught short without them – we think the Road Refresher due to its non spill abilities is perfect for travelling in the car and making pit stops en route to your destination. In hot weather this is especially true – take a couple of bottles of water too, then you can fill up when needed without needing to find a shop. Our Road Refresher was from the lovely people at John Norris (click here to buy)

2) Food! Make sure you take enough food with you to last the duration of your holiday – the last thing you want is to run out of food and have to change for a short period of time. This may not affect some dogs, but a change in diet can upset some dogs tummies (not ideal in someone else’s cottage or in restricted spaces….) It’s important to factor in storage for those dogs fed on a RAW diet. Phone ahead to see what the freezer situation is, there isn’t enough freezer space, google the local area to see if there are suppliers you could buy small amounts from and store in a cool box whilst defrosting OR consider feeding a cold pressed kibble such as Guru or Forthglade combined with a almost RAW, steamed meat – again Forthglade do some excellent varieties which can be stored in the cupboard and eliminates the need for a freezer.

3) Beds! Your dog maybe a little unsettled sleeping in a new environment. Taking a bed or blanket that smells of home is always a good idea. If they usually sleep in a crate then it may be worth taking that for familiarity – most crates fold flat for ease of transport. We love the Ivy and Duke travel mat and use these in our crates all the time! Teamed with the Ivy and Duke Blanket it’s perfect to snuggle into, creates a homely feel for your hound and is machine washable!

4) Collars and Leads! You can’t enjoy long rambling walks in the countryside (or city!) without a collar and lead – it may also be an idea to take a spare of each just in case you lose one on a walk. It’s also worth ensuring your tag details have up to date contact details including a mobile number in case your dog gets lost on an unfamiliar walk. Mobile numbers are obviously more use than a home number when on holiday! Our tags are from ID#tags and lie flat on the collar so no chance of them snapping or falling off.

5) Vets! Although not what you want on holiday, it is worth finding out where the local veterinary surgery is in relation to where you are staying, do they do their own out of hours or do the use another larger surgery perhaps. Dogs can be a bit too inquisitive sometimes or too enthusiastic which could result in an unforeseen vet visit. Take details of your insurance details too, just in case the injury or illness may result in a large bill and an insurance claim!

6) Toys & Treats! All dogs have a ‘thing’ it may be a tennis ball, toy or favourite treat – remember to pack these as long walks in new places or quiet times in strange places are always better with a favourite toy or treat to keep your hound happy! We can highly recommend Guru Trip and Field Bones to keep your dog occupied and settled (don’t just have them on holiday, after all every Tuesday is #tripbonetuesday!)

7) Poo bags! As any responsible owner knows, it’s important to clean up after your dog – in fact, it’s the law! So make sure you have a good supply with you especially if you are going to a more remote part of the UK that may not have a local shop to purchase new supplies. I personally adore the Dog Walking bag from the Cosy Canine Company – it’s perfect to carry your phone, keys, treats, tennis balls, leads and has a special compartment that doubles up as a poo bag dispenser! Whats even nicer is it comes in a variety of colours and can be personalised! use code COCKERSINTHECOUNTRY at checkout for a 15% off your order!

8) Your Dog! After all the planning to make sure your hound has a happy holiday, make sure they have a comfortable and safe place secured in the car! Ideally a crate in the boot or seat-belt device on the rear seats. NEVER allow a dog on the front seats as in the event of an accident, impact with airbags is usually fatal.